ST JAMES, Jamaica — The ongoing trial of members of the Qahal Yahweh religious sect in the St James Parish Court had a stunning revelation on Friday, as the prosecution in its continued efforts to complete its case against two of the accused individuals regarding allegations of indecent assault, suffered a major setback.
When a female complainant was called to substantiate the charges of indecent assault, she failed in her evidence to identify any of the accused individuals before the court as committing any acts of indecent assault. She went on to say that there has been an instance when she made a report against her own family member.
The case also saw the conclusion of the investigating officer detective inspector Rodrick Muir’s evidence.
In cross-examining the officer, the attorneys for the accused people Peter Champagnie and Samoi Campbell, brought to light that although there were a series of question and answer sessions with the accused people, questions were rarely asked concerning the offences for which the accused individuals are before the court.
The officer also conceded under cross-examination that no specific name of any complainant was put to any of the accused in the interviews that he conducted.
At the end of the proceedings, Champagnie and Campbell lamented the fact that the case would be seeing yet another adjournment for an additional witness to come. The court was reminded that on the previous occasion the understanding was that the prosecution would not be calling any other witnesses.
The accused are before the court for breaches of the Child Care and Protection Act, Education Act and indecent assault.
